If you or someone you know doesn't know how to ride a bicycle...we can help!
If you can ride but don't feel comfortable on roads, we can help with that too.
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The Bicycle Riding School in Somerville, Massachusetts teaches people, 5 years old and older, to ride bicycles. We organize group and individual lessons. If you can already ride, we can help you ride safely in traffic. You can get an idea of what it means to people from the testimonials and press coverage we've gotten or from looking at our Fun & Photos section.
We schedule lessons and classes online. If you are having a hard time finding a good time, write to Susan with available times and ask to be put on the waiting list. |
If you can't find a good time to come in, watch this video and also look at the section below "What's a beginner's lesson like?" These resources are also good for people who live too far away from Boston to want to come to our bike school and for people with children younger than five.
All classes meet at 14 William Street, near Davis Square, in Somerville, MA unless otherwise indicated. We work in various locations close to our Somerville headquarters.
The six teachers at the school are Susan McLucas, Katie Parker, Paul Pelan, Aaron Shakow, Aaron Charlwood and Pete Conway. Susan has been teaching riding since the mid-80's. Katie, Paul and Aaron Shakow were new in 2021. Aaron Charlwood started teaching 2022 and teaches our road riding lessons. Pete Conway started teaching in 2023.
We occasionally share our experiences as teachers in the Bicycle Riding School Diary.
What's a beginner's lesson like? What about rain & snow?
All classes meet at 14 William Street, near Davis Square, in Somerville, MA unless otherwise indicated. We work in various locations close to our Somerville headquarters.
The six teachers at the school are Susan McLucas, Katie Parker, Paul Pelan, Aaron Shakow, Aaron Charlwood and Pete Conway. Susan has been teaching riding since the mid-80's. Katie, Paul and Aaron Shakow were new in 2021. Aaron Charlwood started teaching 2022 and teaches our road riding lessons. Pete Conway started teaching in 2023.
We occasionally share our experiences as teachers in the Bicycle Riding School Diary.
What's a beginner's lesson like? What about rain & snow?
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Susan McLucas, founder of the Bicycle Riding School, will give a talk on December 20 at 6-7pm at the Aeronaut Brewery Co., 14 Tyler Street, Somerville. She'll be sharing the joy and challenges of teaching the young, old, athletic and fearful how to ride a bike, including a brief summary of her method. This talk is part of a monthly series of talks organized by the Somerville Bicycle Committee and Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets. |
Pricing & Payment
You will see that all of our classes and lessons are listed with a price range rather than a set price. This is our sliding scale system, which we have available for all of our offerings because we want everyone to be able to participate regardless of income. If the full cost presents a hardship for you, you are welcome to pay less, down to the lowest cost listed.
Learn to Ride group classes are $50 (sliding scale down to $10). Private lessons are $100 (down to $30). Semi-private with 2 people are $120 (down to $40) and with 3 people $140 (down to $50).
Street Riding private lessons are $100 (down to $60).
In order to register, you need to pay $25. You can pay the rest of the cost at the end of the lesson, or, if you want to pay less than $25 for a group lesson, we will refund you some money.
If you forget or don't make the lesson, we keep the $25, (unless it is a serious hardship for you, in which case, write Susan about a possible refund.) If you need to cancel, there is a link in the confirmation email to cancel, or be in touch with your teacher, so that they are not waiting in the driveway for you. If you cancel because of bad weather, you can take the $25 off your next lesson and the school will pay your teacher back.
We accept cash, check, and Venmo. Our Venmo id's are below:
Susan McLucas - @Susan-McLucas
Paul Pelan - @Paul-Pelan
Aaron Shakow - @BicycleFish8
Katie Parker - @Katie.Parker-23
Aaron Charlwood - @Aaron-Charlwood
Pete Conway - @Peter-Conway-14
Most instructors also accept credit cards.
If you'd like to pay for a lesson with Susan, or make a donation for watching our video, or if you don't have a good way to pay another teacher, you can also use the online payment system below. But please make clear the student's name, the lesson date and who it's for, if it's not Susan.
Learn to Ride group classes are $50 (sliding scale down to $10). Private lessons are $100 (down to $30). Semi-private with 2 people are $120 (down to $40) and with 3 people $140 (down to $50).
Street Riding private lessons are $100 (down to $60).
In order to register, you need to pay $25. You can pay the rest of the cost at the end of the lesson, or, if you want to pay less than $25 for a group lesson, we will refund you some money.
If you forget or don't make the lesson, we keep the $25, (unless it is a serious hardship for you, in which case, write Susan about a possible refund.) If you need to cancel, there is a link in the confirmation email to cancel, or be in touch with your teacher, so that they are not waiting in the driveway for you. If you cancel because of bad weather, you can take the $25 off your next lesson and the school will pay your teacher back.
We accept cash, check, and Venmo. Our Venmo id's are below:
Susan McLucas - @Susan-McLucas
Paul Pelan - @Paul-Pelan
Aaron Shakow - @BicycleFish8
Katie Parker - @Katie.Parker-23
Aaron Charlwood - @Aaron-Charlwood
Pete Conway - @Peter-Conway-14
Most instructors also accept credit cards.
If you'd like to pay for a lesson with Susan, or make a donation for watching our video, or if you don't have a good way to pay another teacher, you can also use the online payment system below. But please make clear the student's name, the lesson date and who it's for, if it's not Susan.
Current Adult Offerings
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Dorothy and Adama, 2018
(101a) Adult Learn to Ride Group Classes in an Open Space: One-time, stand-alone group classes for adults to learn how to ride a bike. They are in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal, and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and more skill-building when you’re ready. Students generally need 2-3 of these lessons to prepare for the bike path. The max class size is 3 students.
Single classes, 90 minutes, $50 (sliding scale down to $10)
Group adult open space classes, as of Nov 5, are:
Sat, Nov 11 @10am
To see about setting up a class at another time, contact Susan. Classes don't always get people signing up, and it's a waste of a time slot, when that happens.
(101b) Adult Group Classes on a Bike Path: One-time, stand-alone group classes for adults to learn how to ride on the bike path. This is for people who have already learned to ride in an open space and can ride pretty straight and stop/control the bike and are ready to learn how to safely ride on the path. Students generally need 1-2 of these lessons to feel comfortable on the bike path. The max class size is 3 students.
Single classes, 90 minutes, $50 (sliding scale down to $10)
Group adult path classes, as of Nov 5, are (none scheduled)
(Please call Susan if you want a path class and we'll see.)
(101) Adult Learn to Ride Private Lessons: Private lessons to learn how to ride a bike. We start off in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and more skill-building when you’re ready. We then progress to the bike path. Many students need 4-5 lessons, though some will need more or less.
single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $30)
Want to schedule a private lesson for more than 1 adult? Book a Semi-Private Lesson or Private Class.
(201) Adult Road Riding Private Lessons: Want to learn how to safely ride on the road? Adult Road Riding Private Lessons teach you how to safely and confidently bike in the road, covering basic bike fit and safety, hand signals and scanning for traffic, effectively using your gears, rules of the road, lane positioning, how to effectively use bicycle infrastructure, negotiating various traffic patterns, and much more! Students registering for this should be able to ride a bike with good control, including riding in a straight line when starting and stopping, taking one hand off the handlebars, and looking behind while still going straight.
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $60).
We only do street riding lessons with people ages 12+. Aaron Charlwood is our road riding teacher; he can be contacted with any questions at ACharlwood@gmail.com or 617-823-7128.
Single classes, 90 minutes, $50 (sliding scale down to $10)
Group adult open space classes, as of Nov 5, are:
Sat, Nov 11 @10am
To see about setting up a class at another time, contact Susan. Classes don't always get people signing up, and it's a waste of a time slot, when that happens.
(101b) Adult Group Classes on a Bike Path: One-time, stand-alone group classes for adults to learn how to ride on the bike path. This is for people who have already learned to ride in an open space and can ride pretty straight and stop/control the bike and are ready to learn how to safely ride on the path. Students generally need 1-2 of these lessons to feel comfortable on the bike path. The max class size is 3 students.
Single classes, 90 minutes, $50 (sliding scale down to $10)
Group adult path classes, as of Nov 5, are (none scheduled)
(Please call Susan if you want a path class and we'll see.)
(101) Adult Learn to Ride Private Lessons: Private lessons to learn how to ride a bike. We start off in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and more skill-building when you’re ready. We then progress to the bike path. Many students need 4-5 lessons, though some will need more or less.
single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $30)
Want to schedule a private lesson for more than 1 adult? Book a Semi-Private Lesson or Private Class.
(201) Adult Road Riding Private Lessons: Want to learn how to safely ride on the road? Adult Road Riding Private Lessons teach you how to safely and confidently bike in the road, covering basic bike fit and safety, hand signals and scanning for traffic, effectively using your gears, rules of the road, lane positioning, how to effectively use bicycle infrastructure, negotiating various traffic patterns, and much more! Students registering for this should be able to ride a bike with good control, including riding in a straight line when starting and stopping, taking one hand off the handlebars, and looking behind while still going straight.
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $60).
We only do street riding lessons with people ages 12+. Aaron Charlwood is our road riding teacher; he can be contacted with any questions at ACharlwood@gmail.com or 617-823-7128.
Current Kids (age 5+) Offerings
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(101) Kids Learn to Ride Group Class: One-time, stand-alone group classes for children to learn how to ride a bike. We practice in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal, and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and other skills when the student is ready. Most children need 2-4 lessons to learn. The max class size is 3 students. Parents are invited to help teach their kids and coached in how to do it.
single classes, 90 minutes each, $50 per class (sliding scale down to $10/class)
Kids group classes, as of Nov 5 are:
Sun, Nov 12 @ 1pm
If you hope for a class at another time, contact Susan and we'll see if we can set one up. (I want to minimize setting up a class and no one signing up for it.)
(101) Kids Learn to Ride Private Lessons: Private lessons to learn how to ride a bike. We will be in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and more skill-building when ready. Most children need 2-4 lessons to learn. We recommend scheduling at least 2 lessons, especially if your schedule isn’t very flexible (our slots fill up fast!).
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $30).
(201) Child With Adult Road Riding Private Lessons: Want to learn how you and your child (usually age 8 and up) can safely ride on the road? Child With Adult Road Riding Private Lessons teach you how to safely and confidently bike in the road, covering basic bike fit and safety, hand signals and scanning for traffic, effectively using your gears, rules of the road, lane positioning, how to effectively use bicycle infrastructure, negotiating various traffic patterns, and more! We’ll also learn practical exercises that help you and your child build the skills needed to navigate the road. All students registering for this class must be able to ride a bike with good control, including riding in a straight line when starting and stopping, taking one hand off the handlebars, and looking behind while still going straight.
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $120 per lesson (sliding scale down to $80).
Want to schedule a private lesson for more than 1 child (i.e. siblings, friends, etc)? Book a Semi-Private Lesson or Private Class ($120 with sliding scale down to $40 for 2 children, $140 with sliding scale down to $50 for 3 children).
single classes, 90 minutes each, $50 per class (sliding scale down to $10/class)
Kids group classes, as of Nov 5 are:
Sun, Nov 12 @ 1pm
If you hope for a class at another time, contact Susan and we'll see if we can set one up. (I want to minimize setting up a class and no one signing up for it.)
(101) Kids Learn to Ride Private Lessons: Private lessons to learn how to ride a bike. We will be in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, pedal and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to directing the bike and more skill-building when ready. Most children need 2-4 lessons to learn. We recommend scheduling at least 2 lessons, especially if your schedule isn’t very flexible (our slots fill up fast!).
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $100 per lesson (sliding scale down to $30).
(201) Child With Adult Road Riding Private Lessons: Want to learn how you and your child (usually age 8 and up) can safely ride on the road? Child With Adult Road Riding Private Lessons teach you how to safely and confidently bike in the road, covering basic bike fit and safety, hand signals and scanning for traffic, effectively using your gears, rules of the road, lane positioning, how to effectively use bicycle infrastructure, negotiating various traffic patterns, and more! We’ll also learn practical exercises that help you and your child build the skills needed to navigate the road. All students registering for this class must be able to ride a bike with good control, including riding in a straight line when starting and stopping, taking one hand off the handlebars, and looking behind while still going straight.
Single lessons, 90 minutes, $120 per lesson (sliding scale down to $80).
Want to schedule a private lesson for more than 1 child (i.e. siblings, friends, etc)? Book a Semi-Private Lesson or Private Class ($120 with sliding scale down to $40 for 2 children, $140 with sliding scale down to $50 for 3 children).
Kids & Adults Together Offering
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Inter-generational class graduation, May 2016
(101) Intergenerational Learn to Ride Private Class: Inter-generational private classes are a chance for parents and kids to learn to ride together. We start off in an open space, learning how to balance, use the brakes, and get comfortable on the bike. We progress to pedaling and skillbuilding when you’re ready. We don't usually go onto the bike path with kids, so inter-generational classes don't either. Sometimes the parents come back to do some practice on the path with another group or a private lesson. Students will likely need 2-4 classes total.
single classes, 90 minutes each, $120 with sliding scale down to $40 for 2 learners, $140 with sliding scale down to $50 for 3 learners, $160 with sliding scale down to $60 for 4 learners
Virtual Learning
For those who aren't able to come to the bike school, watch this video and/or read the instructions on this site. (This video has been seen almost 49,000 times and is
seen by about 81 people a day around the world.)
A recent comment: "Many thanks for the video. I got on a bike for the first time on January 1, 2020; two weeks later I was a member of a cycling group and everyone was quite surprised. My secret? This video. Many thanks for such useful, precise and clear information. I now look forward to riding my bike every day. Kind regards from Paris :)"
See additional testimonials from people who learned to ride during the pandemic.
If you try on your own, Susan may be able to consult by phone or email, especially if you share a video of your attempts with her. We may also be able to rent you a bike if you don't have one.
seen by about 81 people a day around the world.)
A recent comment: "Many thanks for the video. I got on a bike for the first time on January 1, 2020; two weeks later I was a member of a cycling group and everyone was quite surprised. My secret? This video. Many thanks for such useful, precise and clear information. I now look forward to riding my bike every day. Kind regards from Paris :)"
See additional testimonials from people who learned to ride during the pandemic.
If you try on your own, Susan may be able to consult by phone or email, especially if you share a video of your attempts with her. We may also be able to rent you a bike if you don't have one.
Our Teachers
Susan McLucas
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Paul Pelan
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Aaron Shakow
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Katie Parker
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Aaron Charlwood
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Peter Conway
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Rain, Snow, or Cold Policy
We're happy to teach in the cold, snow, and rain, but only if the rider is happy to do it. We have rain coats and pants at the bike school. It can be good practice to learn how to handle biking in inclement weather! But if a rider is particularly nervous or unhappy about biking, we don’t recommend starting in the rain. If the forecast is looking questionable, be in contact with your instructor to make a team decision.
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Directions to the Bicycle Riding School
The school is located at 14 William St, Somerville, MA, very close to Davis Square.
Coming from Davis Square on College Ave, William St is the 4th left. Coming from Powderhouse Square, William St is the 3rd right.
Come to the side door of the house, down the driveway, near the big red barn.
What's a beginner's lesson like?
This description lets you know what to expect when you come to bike school and can also be used as a replacement for bike school. If you are trying not to come to bike school, also check out the video Learning to Ride at the Bicycle Riding School.
The main goal of a beginning bike riding lesson is to get your balance. I take the pedals off so that they won't hit you in the legs. To get your balance, you have to turn the handlebars the way you are leaning. We usually teach in places with a slope so people can roll down and then either walk or get pushed up. Or in a flat area, someone has to push you.
Below left is a video of people getting their balance. (When kids come with parents, often the parents do the pushing, or we take turns. I often push my adults uphill, but there's less likely to be someone to film it.) Sometimes, when kids are especially nervous, I grab them by the back of their clothes or sometimes use a harness. Below right, here I am on a kid's vest.
The main goal of a beginning bike riding lesson is to get your balance. I take the pedals off so that they won't hit you in the legs. To get your balance, you have to turn the handlebars the way you are leaning. We usually teach in places with a slope so people can roll down and then either walk or get pushed up. Or in a flat area, someone has to push you.
Below left is a video of people getting their balance. (When kids come with parents, often the parents do the pushing, or we take turns. I often push my adults uphill, but there's less likely to be someone to film it.) Sometimes, when kids are especially nervous, I grab them by the back of their clothes or sometimes use a harness. Below right, here I am on a kid's vest.
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When a person has done 5 long stretches of at least 60', I put the pedals on, if they want them. If not, we keep practicing balance. Below left is a kid getting her 5th long stretch.
Once you have your balance, the pedals can go back on. Be sure to keep your legs out, away from the pedals, or they will hit you. You should start with one foot on and, when you can keep that foot on pretty far, try to get the second foot up. See video below right.
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When you have both feet on, take it easy. Just pedal very gently at first, till you get used to it. You can see in the video below left what it will look like.
Once you can pedal around, practice in an open area for a long time and set yourself a 6' wide course. If you can stay reliably within those lines, you can probably manage on the bike path. When you get to the path, take it nice and easy. We are in no hurry. It might look something like the video below right. (Faith is commenting on how it didn't take her too many weeks to get to be able to do this.) Also, see our Pointers for Riding on a Bike Path.
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Do a lot of riding on paths before you venture out onto streets. For tips on riding in traffic, see this part of the video "Learning to Ride at the Bicycle Riding School".
Now, enjoy the fact that you can ride a bicycle, be healthy, save gas and be part of a movement to save our planet!
We have helmets, knee- and elbow-pads, gloves and a time-tested method which allows most people to learn without ever falling at all. We have more than 20 bicycles, so that people can find something that fits them. All our bikes have padded pedals, so that if they hit you in the legs, they won't hurt. We also sell padded pedals for $30.
You will start out on a bicycle that might seem too small for you. You will be able to reach the ground flat-footed, while sitting on the seat.
If you start to fall, you will simply put your foot down and catch yourself.
We will start out really slow. If you're not going fast, any problem that comes up will be much more manageable.
You will start out on a bicycle that might seem too small for you. You will be able to reach the ground flat-footed, while sitting on the seat.
If you start to fall, you will simply put your foot down and catch yourself.
We will start out really slow. If you're not going fast, any problem that comes up will be much more manageable.
Out-of-town?
June 2010 Cambridge Center class
If you're out of town and want to learn to ride, try our Teach Yourself/Other Teachers page first and see if anyone teaches beginners close to you or if you can figure it out from the instructions given or this video. If not, come to Boston; we'll send you a list of places to stay. Lots of people have made the trip and they're always delighted. One guy came from Brazil to learn to ride! With a couple of lessons each day, in three or four days (4 max), you'll be up and riding.
Alternatively, try to find some other people in your area that also want to learn to ride and see about bringing Susan or another of our teachers to your town. Contact Susan for more details, SusanBMcL @ gmail.com or (617) 776-6524. She'd love to travel to warm places during the winter and teach people to ride there. We can work out logistics like bikes and the place and she can bring the pads and helmets.
Our Accomplishments
In the last 30+ years, we have taught about 5,000 people with only a handful people who weren't able to make it work. Virtually everyone who puts their mind to it, and gives it the time it needs, can learn to ride a bicycle. One of our students has only one leg and did very well. Our oldest students are in their 80's, our youngest was three.
"It was so amazingly liberating to be biking along the path with the wind in my face. Now I know why so many people bike - because it's fun! Thank you so much for offering this class and for nurturing such a warm and encouraging atmosphere!"
Read more Student Stories.
"It was so amazingly liberating to be biking along the path with the wind in my face. Now I know why so many people bike - because it's fun! Thank you so much for offering this class and for nurturing such a warm and encouraging atmosphere!"
Read more Student Stories.
April 2012 graduation at Spy Pond
Everyone has their own reasons for not riding sooner in life (except our very young students), but everyone is glad to get past whatever it was that had been holding them back from riding.
If you don't ride a bike, why wait? If a friend of yours doesn't ride, you can get them a gift certificate or just have them sign up, or call us, if they're not sure about it.
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